Darryl Preston writes:
The cuts announced by Chief Constable Nick Dean across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough this week will be a massive disappointment to many, reducing PCSO numbers and community safety posts, along with the closure of nine public enquiry offices.
My thoughts go out to the staff who may loose their jobs in these tough times.
Visiting all parts of our county, I am repeatedly informed by the residents I speak to that their policing priority is more visible policing to help cut crime.
Local policing vital
Local neighbourhood policing teams are crucial in delivering this priority – and I am grateful the Chief Constable has acknowledged this with a pledge to boost police officer numbers in the local teams to 132, an increase of 75 since 2018.
If elected in May, within 30 days of taking office I will be requiring a thorough review of the decision to cut PCSO numbers.
I will hold the Chief Constable to account for providing effective and efficient local neighbourhood policing, cutting crime in all our communities and keeping the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough safe.
I will act robustly on the findings of this review.
My priority
My priority is driven by that of our communities – more police officers, visible and accessible in all parts of our county cutting crime.
I will ensure we get our fair share of the 20,000 national uplift in police officers over the next three years, and that they are visible and accessible in all our communities, keeping us safe.
Darryl Preston is the Conservative candidate in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner election in May 2021. There's more about Darryl on the About Darryl Preston page.
